Variable tension spring



Aug. 27, 1957 J BARATH 2,804,128

7 VARIABLE TENSION SPRING Filed June 28, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l III Z/IIIIIIIIIIIII INvENroR dosEF 540471/ ATTORNEY 27, 1957 J. BARATH VARIABLE TENSION SPRING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28. 1955 INVENTOR JosfF 54,017

ATTORNEY United States Patent VARIABLE TENSION SPRING Josef Barath, Richmond, Va.

Application June 28, 1955, Serial No. 518,430

3 Claims. (Cl. 155-179) This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a variable tension spring or device, and more particularly to such an article when used with resilient cushion seats in chairs, mattresses, lounges and the like.

As now commonly practiced in the furniture art, chairs, mattresses and lounge cushions are generally provided with springs beneath a soft topping. However, in place of springs, synthetic materials, such as foam rubber and other cellulosic materials, are also used for cushions. Whether springs or other material is used for cushioned seats or lounging mattresses, the resiliency is substantially constant. For instance, if a person weighing one hundred pounds is seated upon a spring or rubber chair cushion, his weight would not depress such cushioned seat as much as if a person weighing two hundred pounds. Therefore, the present cushioned seat may sit too hard or too soft as the trade expression terms such seating comfort.

One of the objects of this invention is a provision of a device for varying the tension or resiliency of a cushioned seat.

Another object of this invention is a provision of a device adapted to vary the resiliency or tension of a cushioned seat, lounge, mattress or the like.

Other objects and features will more fully appear from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a chair embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the same,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation of the lower portion of the chair,

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 44 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a pressure roller, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional modification view.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosing resilient springs in a cushioned seat is for illustrative purposes and that any resilient means may be used which is adaptable to a particular article, and which is in the realm of equivalents.

Now, referring more particularly to the drawings, a chair 6 is provided with the usual back cushion or seat 7, spring cushion 8, legs 9, arms 5 and a box frame portion 10 consisting of a front 11, back 12, and sides 13-14, all of which are well known in the art.

The spring cushion 8 (Fig. 4) comprises a top portion 15, generally composed of hair, excelsior, foam rubber or the like. A plurality of coil springs 16 are secured to, in spaced relation to each other, the basal portion of a cover fastened thereto. A platform or base 17 is adapted to support the bottom portion of springs 16, likewise secured to said base.

The platform 17 is supported by a pair of beveled rollers 18 and 19 respectively secured to rods or axles 20-21. Bearings (Fig. 2) 22 and 23 are respectively secured to the inner front portion 11 of chair 6 and are likewise adapted to house one end of rods 20--21, their other ends passing through apertures in the rear frame portion 12.

The top portion 15 has a cover 24 secured to the front rear and sides of the box frame, and tends to main tain the former against upward displacement. It is thought obvious that the top portion, springs and'platform are movable within bounds limited by cover 24 and rollers 1819 in bearings 2122.

It is to be noted that rods 2021 forming the axles of rollers 18-19 are eccentrically disposed with respect to the latter members. Wheels or handles 2526 are respectively secured to each end of axles 2021 in uniform fashion. When the wheels are caused to rotate the axles they in turn actuate the beveled rollers. By the uniform eccentricity of the rollers axles it is thought obvious that when the rollers are actuated uniformly, their portions farthest from the axles will cause the platform to rise when engagement thereof is effected. Likewise, when the portions of the rollers nearest the axles contact the platform the springs are decompressed.

It is also thought obvious that by the provision of a plurality of beveled surfaces upon the roller, various degrees of resiliency of the cushioned seat may be elfected or attained. In order that the rollers may be elevated or lowered in uniform or parallel fashion, handles 2526 are provided with three spokes (Fig. 5). The rollers are, for instance, placed or positioned so that both axles are closest to the platform (Fig. 4). The handles are then positioned so that the spokes forming the diameter of the circled handle are parallel with the surface of the rollers nearest the axles. Thus, if roller 26 is actuated one hundred sixty degrees the third spoke will point upwardly, and naturally, to attain uniform pressure, wheel 25 will have to be rotated in similar fashion so that its third spoke will point upwardly, in similar fashion. In other words, the positions of the spokes must be relatively uniform with respect to each other to attain uniform pressures.

Now referring to the modification in Fig. 6 the struc ture is the same as that heretofore outlined. For instance a cover 31 is secured to the chair and limits a rubber cushion against upward displacement. A platform 32 is secured to the bottom of the cushion in any suitable fashion, such as by adhesives or the .ike. Rollers 33 engage the platform and are of the same type and supported in similar fashion as hereinbefore specified. It is thought obvious that by actuating the rollers the rubber cushion may be compressed or decompressed in varying degrees.

Having described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described consisting of a resilient cushioned seat, and means in operative relation with said seat consisting of a platform, a plurality of resilient members respectively secured to said seat and platform and a plurality of rollers in operative relation with said platform whereby the latter may cause said resilient members to be compressed or decompressed in variable degrees.

2. In a device of the character described the combination with a chair having a top resilient portion and supporting frame, consisting of a roller mounted in eccentric fashion upon an axle engaging said frame in rotatable fashion, supporting means in operative relation with said roller and adapted to cause said top to be compressed or decompressed upon the actuation of said axle.

3. In a device of the character described the combination with a chair having a top resilient portion and frame, consisting of a plurality of rotatable members'respectively mounted upon axles secured in movable fashion in said frame, supporting means in operative relation with said rotatable members, a plurality of resilient members disposed between said supporting means and said top and adapted to be compressed or decompressed upon the actuation of said axles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,558,288 Backus June 26, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 185,845 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1922 

